Bucs Remain Solid Favorites To Win The NFC South
March 16th, 2026
Joe is sharing this post for the growing numbers of moping Bucs fans.
The sportsbooks have the Bucs as solid favorites to win the NFC South.
There’s a reason. The team with the best offensive line, the best quarterback and playmaker depth on offense almost always wins at least enough games to be competitive in a division, and usually wins the whole thing. Throw in the shaky competition in the NFC South, and it’s understandable why the Bucs are a +160 favorite this morning at the Hard Rock sportsbook, with Atlanta behind them at +250.
Carolina had the 27th-ranked offense last season in points and yards. They lost their best running back in free agency and their only additions on that side of the ball were a stop-gap left tackle, a backup center and Kenny Pickett. Yes, Carolina added two studs on defense. It seems they’ll get a lot of work.
The Saints are still rebuilding and dumped two defensive icons. Bumbling Atlanta is figuring out if it has a quarterback, who is coming off major surgery, while it works in a new head coach and a new GM, and hopes it’s defensive star doesn’t serve time.
The Joe typing here has faith Todd Bowles will do what he usually does coaching the Bucs and that last year’s late-season nosedive was the exception and not the new rule.
Winning the NFC South and going nowhere is nothing to celebrate in any way, shape of form. But it’s still a likely outcome even with Mike Evans out the door for no good reason. If you’re so sure the Bucs are headed for a toilet season, then you’re welcome to bet on that.
March 16th, 2026 at 8:52 am
Wow, where are the Bowles haters now? SHOULD BE BLAMING BOWLES FOR BEING RANKED THE BEST IN THE SOUTH!
March 16th, 2026 at 8:59 am
So what? Weren’t the Bucs favorites last year after the bye? Is it really worth celebrating when you’re the best of the worst?
Who is celebrating?–Joe
March 16th, 2026 at 9:00 am
This must be the other Joe posting something positive!
March 16th, 2026 at 9:00 am
@Joe
In that case, if you’re so sure Bowles will win the division, bet your salary on it!
Exactly where did Joe declare the Bucs would win the division? It’s March. Joe declaring the Bucs division champs now is as dumb as someone claiming they’re circling the drain. –Joe
Last season we lost three of four to division rivals after the bye week.
And that was with Mike Evans catching balls from Mayfield.
I knew these articles were coming to run coverage for the inept HC\DC.
When you wonder why the 2026 season goes up in flames, look in the mirror.
March 16th, 2026 at 9:03 am
the Bucs have won 10 division titles :
Gruden 3 – McKay 2 – Dungy 1 – Arians 1 – Bowles 3
some folks in these parts think that if Bowles gets another division title he will be the best Bucs coach ever – they will get his name tattooed on their arms in a big red heart and get moist and flustered at the mention of his name – so pathetic !
March 16th, 2026 at 9:27 am
Nice that Goedecke and McCollum restructured to help us out. They’re not exactly helping. The restructure means they get up front money so the Bucs can kick the salary cap charge down the road under NFL rules. Joe doesn’t know of a player that would turn down the up front money. Bobby Bonilla played generations ago.–Joe
McCollum lost his confidence for 5 or 6 games before his season ending injury last year. I’ve seen that happen to corners before and then they start getting targeted. Picked on. In McCollum’s case he was picked on mercilessly. Because he couldn’t, or didn’t respond. It’s concerning and may have cost us a game last year. Goedecke, there is no excuse for his bumbling mistakes a few late games and he may have cost us a game. AWJ is a good football player but I hesitate- on the 4th and 14 (3rd and 28) Vildor looked inept but that’s where Winfield should have stepped up, but didn’t. All three players are going to be awfully important to us this season. And I truly believe all 3 are better players than what I saw last season. Mayfield closed out his first 2 seasons here winning their December games. All three seasons we’ve won our final regular season game. McCollum was playing with a lousy defense. Goedecke was playing with a ragtag Oline. For Winfield, it’s high time that he stood up to the leadership role that his talent warrants. If our OLine stays healthy, our defense talent level improves, and those 3 players can step up and play anywhere near where they are getting paid, we’ll go into every single game with a solid chance to win.
March 16th, 2026 at 9:28 am
Predictions are like you know what, everyone has one. Since we lost down the stretch against all our division rivals, I wouldn’t put to much stock in his Prediction.
March 16th, 2026 at 9:29 am
We’re a better team than we were a month ago, Atlanta lost that Pierce idiot for the first month or 2 at LEAST, little short dude at Carolina will never be an offensive weapon. Saints, I think they’ll be something
March 16th, 2026 at 9:30 am
If you dislike the current team, coaching, and how it’s ran, why are you visiting a fan page daily and pumping money and viewship indirectly into the organization?
Why not just play bingo and eat jello at your retirement home?
March 16th, 2026 at 9:32 am
I am not moping but no way this team under Bowles wins the division. I don’t give a rats a$$ who declares the Bucs will win division. Agree with Joe about the offense but the defense stinks and will stink under Bowles. I have seen enough and I know exactly how this movie ends. I am a realist and not delusional like Team Delusional at One Buc Place.
And by the way, Bucs were picked to win division last year, completely sh!t the bed after a 6-2 start. Oh by the way the team quit on their coach.
March 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am
I’m usually very optimistic, but right now I’m wary. When I gamble I often bet on the team with the best quarterback + coach combination. Shough is already the second best quarterback in the division and Kellen Moore had those guys playing hard to close out the year.
The biggest reasons for hope are:
-We’ve upgraded the nastiness, violence, and speed on defense. Hopefully we’ll continue this project in the draft.
-Robinson knows how to scheme a running game better than third-down/passing game wizard Grizzard did.
March 16th, 2026 at 10:20 am
I wish next season schedule started playing the Saints, Panthers and Falcons all on the road the first 3 games. If Bowles does not go 3-0, Can Him.
Would love to see that schedule! –Joe
March 16th, 2026 at 10:40 am
“Joe declaring the Bucs division champs now is as dumb as someone claiming they’re circling the drain. –Joe”
Or calling someone MVP with two-thirds of the season left to play.
March 16th, 2026 at 10:41 am
🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂
🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
March 16th, 2026 at 10:52 am
Our QB will find away to put us in the cellar of the division!
March 16th, 2026 at 10:54 am
The Bucs and 49ers could meet in the playoffs. How ironic and quite possible.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:09 am
HeavyE Says:
March 16th, 2026 at 10:52 am
Our QB will find away to put us in the cellar of the division!
baker will most likely lead the NFL in INTs and Fumbles again..
GO BUCS!!!!
March 16th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Name the player or position that played at or above par last season:
Defense:
Vea
Parrish
Dean
Diaby
Smith
Offense:
White
Egbuka
JMac
ST
McLaughlin
Serious underperformers:
Defense:
Kancy
Riddick
Dennis
McCollum
AWJ
Braswell
Gaines
Morrison
Offense:
Baker
Bucky
Godwin
Evans
Barton
Goedeke
Wirfs
Guard L & R
ST
Dixon
Coverage and return teams
Is the failure the fault of the individual players or could it be coaching? Similar results in ’26 cannot happen. Some luck on the injury front should produce much better results. FA look promising so far and draft still to come. Maybe we can win the south again.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:38 am
The first goal and step to the post season IS to win your division. I don’t care what division or how “crappy” it might be {see Seattle}. Not to take anything away from Seattle and what they did last year but 3 of those teams in that division lost to us last year. And didn’t they all have double digit wins? Anyways, to say that winning this division is not a big deal is not accurate and borderline stupid. Does Carolina get in without the division or anyone else from this division? Nope, and look how they did in their playoff game, so anything can happen. Point is you have to get there first and then win out but you have to be on a winning streak going into the playoffs, in my opinion, so that mindset can carry on go to the SB. It may be a weak division but first ya gotta win it to get to the big dance.